DUO set to visit the Caribbean: Repaying your student debt? Lower monthly instalment may be possible
In November, people with a DUO student debt will receive a message about their monthly instalment for 2026. While some may be able to lower this amount by submitting their income details to DUO, not everyone is aware of this. That is why DUO will be visiting Bonaire from 17 to 21 November, Aruba from 24 November to 5 December, and Sint Maarten from 8 to 12 December. DUO will open temporary service desks and provide information sessions. On Curaçao, the service desk is open for an extended period.
Submitting your income details
Some former students are repaying more than they need to because their income has not yet been taken into account. Those who provide their income details can often qualify for a lower monthly instalment and may not have to pay anything at all. Monique Hoogerwerf, coordinator for the Caribbean region, adds:
“We've found that more than half of the people who share their income details end up not having to make any repayments, giving them more financial breathing room and reducing stress.”
Why sharing your income details matters
For many former students from the Caribbean Netherlands and Curaçao, DUO receives income data from the Tax Office. However, when DUO retrieves this information, it is often not yet available. In such cases, it is important that people submit their income details themselves. On Aruba and Sint Maarten, DUO cannot obtain this information from the Tax Office, so former students there must always provide their income details themselves.
Information sessions for repayers and prospective students
On Aruba, DUO will organise an information session for former students with a student debt. In addition, DUO will partner up with Dutch universities of applied sciences for a series of information sessions on Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius for students planning to study in the Netherlands. Several Caribbean students already living in the Netherlands will also share their experiences to give future students and their parents a clear picture of what it is like to study in the Netherlands and how they should prepare to hit the ground running.
Temporary service desks
Anyone needing help to apply for a reduction in their monthly instalment can visit the temporary DUO service desks on Bonaire, Aruba and Sint Maarten. To reduce your instalment, please bring an income statement from the Tax Office for 2023 or 2024.
Staff will also be available to answer other questions about repaying student debts and to assist those who are behind on payments. Students and their parents are, of course, welcome with any questions they may have.
More information
Further information about the service desks and the information sessions can be found at duo.nl/bezoekcariben.